Keep warm with a winter's worth of classes

The winter months mean skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing for many people. But what if you're not a fan of cold or snow? How do you occupy your time during those long winter months?

MELANIE VANDERVEER

The winter months mean skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing for many people. But what if you're not a fan of cold or snow? How do you occupy your time during those long winter months?

Indoor classes and workshops can be a great way to spend your time indoors during the chilly part of the year. And not only will it kill some time, you may learn a new skill or find a new passion.

There are plenty of classes to choose from in the area. Whether you are into arts and crafts, healthy fun, history or baking, something exists for pretty much everyone.

Looking for a unique holiday gift for someone? Many of these classes offer gift certificates.

Kitchen Chemistry on Main Street, Stroudsburg, offers many classes throughout the year. And any level baker and pretty much any age can enjoy and learn all about cupcakes, soaps and other items.

"All the classes, unless it says advanced, can be adjusted to make people comfortable. Anyone can walk into my class and be comfortable," said Lisa Diemer, owner. "I can have an 80-year-old or an 8-year-old in any of my cupcake classes, and they can be challenged."

Diemer has been baking for 30 years and has tons of experience and patience.

"I have the experience to share," she said. "It's so much easier to take a class than to try and figure it all out yourself. Take a class and that information will stick with you for the rest of your life."

"My 15-year-old is teaching a farmers cheese class. It's like cottage cheese, and easy to make," she said. "During the baking classes before the holidays, I'll show how to make the dough. I've been teaching for a lot of years, and my goal is to make it simple."

Diemer also teaches private classes for families.

"I do private events so a whole family can set up a private class," she said. "I love doing family classes because you are creating a tradition or memory."

For information, visit kitchen-chemistry.com.

If art classes are more your speed, how about making some pottery at MudWorks? Owner JoAnn Stratakos offers classes for all levels.

"We have people come in and make a mug from scratch all the time. Whenever you feel like coming in, just give us two hours notice. We guide you through the steps to create your own stoneware mug," Stratakos said. "We also have one-and-done classes. They are 2½-hour specific classes where everyone makes the same thing."

MudWorks offers classes for kids and theme classes, too.

"We are having a heart-shaped vase class to hold candy or flowers in January. In February, we'll have Shoot for the Moon classes and in March we'll have a class to make birdfeeders."

MudWorks offers six-week classes as well, such as a class on throwing pottery on the wheel.

"We give you step-by-step instruction, and there's someone there helping," she said. "We offer beginner to intermediate classes. Everybody walks away with something. I've never had a dissatisfied artist yet."

Customers can also give the gift of art to their loved ones. Make them a one-of-a-kind pottery gift or buy them a gift certificate to create their own work of art.

"You're giving people a piece of your artwork. It's handmade," Stratakos said. "To give a gift certificate to someone ... you are giving them the gift to be creative."

For information, visit mudworkspotterypa.com.

If history is what you're into, Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm is the place to be. Located in Stroudsburg, it offers a unique program called Hands on History.

"These are programs groups can make a reservation for and come to the farm," said Cheryl Statham, director of education and programming. "The programs cover food preservation, simple machines farmers would have, trees, signs of spring and learn how to use an ax and hand tools."

The program is a series any group of 10 or more people can participate in. In addition to Hands on History, there are also other workshops available at the farm.

"In January, we are doing a basket-making workshop for ages 10 and up. They'll be making a market basket," Statham said. "We are doing a Valentine's Day workshop and luncheon in February. There are eight possible workshops to choose two from."

For information, visit quietvalley.org

Northampton Community College offers many programs to keep you busy this winter. It doesn't matter if you are into health and fitness, arts and crafts, or music, there's something for everyone.

"We always have stuff going on," said Dee Raneri, assistant director of community programs at NCC, Monroe. "Our most popular class is Zumba. Yoga is our second most popular class. Fencing is also popular."

The college offers arts and crafts classes, guitar lessons, dance classes and even Spanish for kids.

"A typical class is a six-week session. You don't have to commit yourself to a whole semester for most classes," Raneri said. "We also have some one-day craft classes centered around the holidays."

New for this semester are dance classes.

"We are having a salsa workshop in the beginning of February. It's just one class to see if people like it. It gives people a little taste of what's ahead, and if they like it, they can come back. The class starts two weeks later," she said. "We also have Dancing for Everyone class. It's the kind of dance people are doing on the dance floor now."

There are classes for all ages, and registration can be done online at northampton.edu/lifelearn.